Celebration of Matthias of Austria in late humanist Bohemical literature Cover Image

Oslava Matyáše Habsburského v bohemikální literatuře pozdního humanismu
Celebration of Matthias of Austria in late humanist Bohemical literature

Author(s): Jan Malura, Marta Vaculínová
Subject(s): Czech Literature
Published by: AV ČR - Akademie věd České republiky - Ústav pro českou literaturu
Keywords: Habsburg Matthias; Matthias of Austria; coronation; festivities; panegyrics; descriptions; Neo-Latin literature; older Czech and German literature; late humanism; Jiří Závěta of Závětice

Summary/Abstract: This article focuses on the hitherto rather neglected subject of panegyric works dedicated to the sovereign, Matthias Habsburg. In connection with the key moments in his career — his selection as King and ultimately Emperor, his marriage and coronation — the Czech lands saw the creation of literary works that played a part in the display of his sovereign power and majesty. The growing importance of national languages can be observed in their composition. Initially extensive prose descriptions (reports) were printed in Czech, authored by Jiří Závěta of Závětice. These went on to inspire the Czech songs of Sixtus Palma Močidlanský. Literature written in German is represented in particular by Matthias Hoë of Hoënegg’s homage sermon. Contrasting with the few (and hence important) literary works in national languages there is a large quantity of Latin panegyric prose and poetry presented in a representative selection in this study. Apart from the literary genres that de facto permeate all the languages (reports, sermons, panegyric speeches and poems, songs, prayers and dramas), attention is also paid to the conception of the monarch’s personality in celebratory literature, as well as the form and intention of individual works and the reception of antique literature as an integral part of the celebration of the sovereign power tradition. Almost without exception, the literary works presented had their pragmatic objectives, but higher literary ambitions and more demanding literary stylizations are not abandoned.

  • Issue Year: 67/2019
  • Issue No: 6
  • Page Range: 792-826
  • Page Count: 35
  • Language: Czech